People First of Canada is the national organization representing people with intellectual disabilities.

People First of Canada is the national voice for people who have been labeled with an intellectual disability. We are about rights – human rights, citizenship rights, accommodations rights and language rights. The right to freedom, choice and equality for all.

LATEST NEWS

From the Council of Canadians with Disabilities press release, February 6, 2015: Assisted Suicide Changes Landscape, Makes Disability a Defining Issue. Today’s decision of the Supreme Court fundamentally alters end-of-life for all Canadians. The Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD) and the Canadian Association for Community Living (CACL) are profoundly disappointed by today’s ruling and extremely concerned about the implications of the ruling. An immensely important decision must now begin with Canadians and politicians at all levels, with civil society, health professions and the legal community. We start from the premise that the lives of Canadians with disabilities are worthy of the utmost respect. Such respect, regrettably, cannot be taken for granted.

Recently, there have been several announcements concerning institutions housing people with intellectual disabilities that are very disappointing to People First of Canada. Michener Centre in Alberta will not be closing as scheduled; Valley View in Saskatchewan has pushed back the closure by two years; and the Manitoba Developmental Centre is behind in the number of individuals who were supposed to move out of the institution and into the community this year. The People First movement was built upon the foundation of freedom and rights – freedom from institutions and the right to live in the community. In light of these events, People First of Canada has developed messages of inclusion from our members across the country to promote the right to live in community. Show your support – promote the right of every citizen to live in the community! #‎FreeOurPeople #‎inclusion #‎WeArePeopleFirst

People First of Canada and the Canadian Association for Community Living recently held their 5th Annual Policy Forum in Ottawa. The topic of the forum was Ensuring Equality in the Justice System for People with Intellectual Disabilities. Presenters included people with intellectual disabilities, family members, community agency representatives, and government representatives. The forum explored interactions with law enforcement, incarceration of people with intellectual disabilities, and reintegration into the community after leaving the justice system.

The Freedom Tour is a powerful documentary that has been raising awareness about institutions both nationally and internationally. Made by People First members and featuring institution survivors, this documentary explores institutionalization from a personal level. The Freedom Tour is available in both English and French and is a great teaching and learning tool for disability organizations, disability studies courses, and interested individuals. Order a copy for your group or organization – contact us at info@peoplefirstofcanada.ca